Woman 'failed by surgery doctors'

Janine Murtagh died after a routine abdominal operation

Doctors failed a woman who died during a routine operation at the Royal Victoria Hospital, according to a draft report obtained by the BBC.

Janine Murtagh, 31, from Crumlin in County Antrim, died when her bowel was ruptured during surgery in October 2002.

The Department of Health's review found doctors failed to respond promptly to early warnings she was deteriorating.

Her husband, Stephen, said no-one had been held accountable for her death.

"Since the inquest in 2004, it has been driven by ourselves," he said.

"I know the Department of Health, the Royal, the surgeons and all of the staff involved would be happy for us just to go away, but there is no way we can move on with the rest of our lives without fully getting to the reason why Janine died."

The report concludes Mrs Murtagh died due to a "systems failure" and no individual could be held to account.

The Royal Victoria Hospital has previously apologised for the death of Mrs Murtagh, who was a nurse at the hospital.

There have already been two reports and an inquest into Mrs Murtagh's death.

Her family has met senior Department of Health civil servant Dr Andrew McCormick to discuss this latest report.